Vehicle signaling circuit



Feb. 16, 1954- J. R. HOLLINS 2,669,704

VEHICLE SIGNALING CIRCUIT Filed May 7, 1952 --7/ M J f 24 LL 9 /6 I a: i.,/ -23 227 BRAKE- 7 DALSVWTCH FLASHER Patented Feb. 16, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

This invention relates to signalling systems for vehicles, particularly of the automotive type, and more particularly to a novel signalling circuit whereby turn indicating signal lamps are caused to flash whenever the brake-operated stop lamp switch is closed to augment the stop signal provided by the usual stop lamp or lamps.

The usual stop lamp new standard equipment on most motor vehicles, and energized whenever the brake pedal is operated to decelerate the vehicle, is generally a steady burning lamp. However, a steady burning lamp is not as effective in attracting a driver's attention as is a flashing lamp. Flashing lamps are usually provided as turn signalling indicators on most vehicles, being selectively energized to flash a turn indication by a selector switch mounted on the steering column.

The present invention is directed to a novel signalling arrangement employing turn signal lamps as flashing stop lamps augmenting the usual steady burning stop" lamp or lamps. To this end, a second flasher is connected between the brake pedal operated stop lamp switch and the signal lamps on both sides of the vehicle.

This second flasher circuit is in parallel with the usual stop lamp circuit and serves to flash both turn indicating lamps when the brake pedal operated switch is closed. Preferably, the second flasher is an alternating flasher arranged to flash the turn signal lamps in alternation. Thus, both the steady burning stop lamp and alternately flashing turn lamps are simultaneously energized to signal slowing or stopping of the vehicle.

For an understanding of the invention principles, reference is made to the following description and accompanying drawing in which the single figure is a schematic circuit diagram of the invention signalling circuit.

Referring to the drawing, a turn indicator selector switch It is illustrated as selectively operable to energize either the left signal lamps 20, 30 or the right signal lamps 2U, 30' mounted on the front and rear of the vehicle. Energization of the turn signal lamps, such as 20, 20', is selectively effected by means of a contact arm l5 rotatably mounted on a dielectric base ll carrying contacts connected to the turn signal lamps. The latter are grounded on one side, in the usual manner, and are energized from the grounded vehicle battery (and/or generator) 12 over a circuit including a first flasher FL-l in series with battery l2.

The vehicle is also provided with the usual steady burning stop lamp SL also energized from battery l2, whenever a switch [3 is closed. Switch I3 is the usual brake operated stop lamp switch.

In the arrangement shown, left front signal lamp 20 is connected to contact 14, and right front signal lamp to contact 14', both on base H. Similarly, left and right rear signal lamps 3D, 30' are respectively connected to contacts l6, IE on base ll. Flasher FL-I is connected to the pivot ll of switch arm 15. A pilot lamp PL| is connected across contacts l4, l4, and a pilot lamp PIP-2 is connected across contacts l6, 16'.

Assuming it is desired to signal a left turn, arm 15 is turned counter-clockwise approximately 45 to engage contacts l4 and Hi. This connects left lamps 20, 30 to battery I2 through flasher FL-l, and the lamps flash to indicate a left turn. Pilot lamps PL-I and PL-2 are also flashed through right lamps 20', 30 but the high resistance of the pilot lamps prevents a current flow sufficient to illuminate lamps 20', 30'. Should either pilot lamp fail to flash it indicates an open circuit, such as burned out lamps 26', 30' or another circuit break. A right turn is signalled in a corresponding manner.

In accordance with the invention, base II is provided with an extra pair of contacts 2|, 22 midway between the sets of turn signalling contacts and engaged and interconnected by arm 15 only in the off or neutral position of the arm. Contact 2| is connected to the stop lamp terminal of brake switch l3 in parallel with stop lamp SL. Contact 22 is connected to the live terminal 25 of a second flasher FL2, preferably arranged to alternately energize its output terminals 23, 24. These latter terminals are respectively connected to switch contacts IS, IS.

The circuit of flasher FL-2 is schematically illustrated in the drawing as including a movable armature 26 and a high resistance wire 21. Armature 28 is pivoted about contact 25 as a center for oscillatory movement (as illustrated by the arrows) for alternately connecting contact 25 with contacts 24 and 23. High resistance wire 21 at all times connects contacts 25 and 23. An insulated connection (not shown) is provided between high resistance wire 2'! and armature 26 so that when the high resistance wire is cold," the armature 26 is normally maintained (as shown in the drawing) so that it connects contacts 25 and 24; the armature 26 being also connected to a biasing spring (not shown) which tends to snap armature 26 out of engagement with contact 24 and into engagement with contact 23', such last-named-biasing action, however, being less than the pull of the high resistance wire (when cold) so that armature 26, is as afore- 3 said, normally maintained in contact with contact 24.

When the flasher is energized, a low resistance current path is provided between contacts 25 and 24, through armature 2S and the current flow in this path is sufficient to illuminate a signal lamp; however, the current flow from contact 25 through the high resistance wire 2! to contact 23 is insuflicient to illuminate avsignal lamp. This lattercurrent flow heats high resistance wire 21 which expands, releasing its pull on armature 26, and allowing armature 26, under the pull ofits biasing spring, to snap out of engagement with contact 24 and into engagement with c'ontactZS. Armature 2%; then carries full current'f-rom contact 25 to contact 24 and shunts high resistance wire 21. The latter thus cools and contracts and exerts a pull on armature 26 greater than the biasing action of its spring to thereby snap armature 26 back to contact 2:3; and thereafter the flashing cycle aforementioned repeats.

In the position of switch il-shown in thedrawiiig, when brake operated switch I3 is closed; stop lamp SL is energized; Simultaneously, flasher SL-Z isenergizedthrough switchcontacts 2|; 22

andswitch arm 15. Thus, rear slgnal lamps, 3F), 30" are flashed alternately through flasher termi nals 23, 24 andswitch terminals i} i=3, pilot lamp P-L-2 being alternately flashed'th'rough the non-illuminated signal lamps 3 3' or 30' Thus, whenever the-brakes are applied'with switch ID in the neutral position,- rear signal lampsw; 38'- are flashed in alternation'to'augmentthe signalling effect of steady stop'lamp SL. Furthermore, should' switcli-lc be operated energy, astop lamp, a brake operated' switch controlling energizationof said stop lampfrom said source, turn signalling lamps, a fiashercon nected tosaid source, and a selectorswitchhaving'contacts andaswit'ch arm selectivelyoperable to connect said signal lamps to saidfia-sher "for selectively flashing a ri litturn or a'left turn, the combination of a second flasher havin'ga pair of output terminals respectively connected to a left signal iampand a right signal-lamp; and

jmeans, including selector switch-contacts iridependent of the signal lamp contacts and engaged by the switch arm only-in the neutral'position'oi "said selector switch; operable upon actuation-of said brake-operated switch-to connect said] sec- "ond flasher to said source in parallel with said step lamp to flash a pair of left and-rlghtsign'a l lampswhen said stop lamp is-illuzninated.

f2; In2avehicle having a source" of electric e'rierg y, a stop lamp, a brake op'erate'd switch controlling energization of said -stoplampfrom said source, turn signalling lamps, a flasher-connected to said source, Vanda selectorswitch hav- 'ing" contacts andas'witch arm selectively oper- 4 able to connect said signal lamps to said flasher for selectively flashing a right turn or a left turn, the combination of a second flasher having a pair of output terminals respectively connected to a left signal lamp and a right signal lamp; and means, including said selector switch in a selected position, operable to connect Said second flasher to said brake-operated switch in parallel with said stop lamp to flash apair of left and right signal lamps when said stop lamp is illluminated. 3. In a vehicle having a source of electric energy, a stop lamp, a brake-operated switch source, left and right front signal lamps, and left and right rear signal lamps the combination of a selector switch having a movable switch arm, a first pair of contacts each connected to a left signal lamp, and a second pair of contacts each connected to a right signal lamp; a flasher connected between said source and said switch arm; said arm being selectively operable to interconmeet the contacts of said first pair or the contacts of said second pair to'flashingly energize either the'left or the'rightsignal' lamps; a third pair of contacts-on said switch interconnected by-said arm only in the neutral'position of said switch, one'of said-third'pair ofcontacts'beingconnected to said brake operated switch inparallel with said stop lamps; and-a secondflasherhavinga pair of outputtermina'lseach connected to a rear signal lamp and an input terminal connected to the other of said thirdpair of con-'- tacts; whereby, whensaid'switcharm'isin the neutral position and the brake is operated, the rear signal lamps are flashed-while said stop lampis illuminated.

i. In' a vehicle havingasource of electric energy, a stop lamp, 2; brake-operated switch controlling connection of said stop lamp'to said source, left and right front signal'lamps, andleft and right-rear signallamps thecombina'tion of a selector switch having amovable switch arm; a first pair of contacts each connected to'a left signal lamp, anda second pair of contacts-each connected to a rightsignal lamp; a flasher connected-between said sourceand said'switch arm; said' arm being selectively operable" to interconnect'the contacts ofsaid firstpair or the contacts of said secondpair to'fiashingly-energize either the left or the'right signallamps; a third pair of contacts on said-switch interconnected'by said arm only in the neutral-position of said switch, one of said third'pair of contacts being connected to said brake-operated switch in parallelwith said stop lamps; and a-secondflasher having a pair of alternately energizableoutput terminals each connected to arear signal lamp and'an input terminal connected-to theother=of said third pair of contacts; whereby, when said swit'ch arm is'in'the neutral position and the'b'rake is operat'ed, the'rear signal lampsare flashed alternately whilesaid stop lamp is illuminated. l

JESSE R: HOLLINS;

References Cited inthe file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date- Bell l Ju1y5, l938 Rioux July- 26,1938 Hosmer Novrfi, 1942 Number- 

